海底两万里 第172期 第12章 一切都用电(5)

From the earth? I said, my voice going up on the word.

陆地上的?我着重地说。

We'll say coal from the seafloor, if you prefer, Captain Nemo replied.

就说是海底的煤炭吧。尼摩船长回答。

And you can mine these veins of underwater coal?

您可以在海底开采煤旷吗?

You'll watch me work them, Professor Aronnax. I ask only a little patience of you, since you'll have ample time to be patient.

阿龙纳斯先生，您将会看到我开采。我只请您忍耐些时候，因为您有时间，可以等待一下。

Just remember one thing: I owe everything to the ocean; it generates electricity, and electricity gives the Nautilus heat, light, motion, and, in a word, life itself.

我单单请您注意这点：我什么都是取自海洋, 利用海洋发电，供给诺第留斯号热、光、动力，简单一句话。电给诺第留斯号生命。

But not the air you breathe?

但电不能供给您呼吸的空气吧?

Oh, I could produce the air needed on board, but it would be pointless, since I can rise to the surface of the sea whenever I like.

呵!我也可以制造空气供我消费，但没有什么必要，因为我高兴时，我可以随便浮到海面上来。

However, even though electricity doesn't supply me with breathable air, it at least operates the powerful pumps that store it under pressure in special tanks.

但是，电虽不供给我可以呼吸的空气，它可以发动强大的抽气机，把空气送人特殊的密封室。

which, if need be, allows me to extend my stay in the lower strata for as long as I want.

这样，我可以根据需要停留在海底深处，时间要多久就多久。

Captain, I replied, I'll rest content with marveling. You've obviously found what all mankind will surely find one day, the true dynamic power of electricity.

船长，我回答，我只有佩服，您显然是找到了人类将来可能找到的东西，那就是真正的电的力量。